Mutual Benefit Group supports expansion of local Summer Lunch Program
HUNTINGDON, PA — Mutual Benefit Group (MBG) is partnering with First United Methodist Church to support a 2026 Summer Lunch Program for local children and families through providing funding and hosting an internal employee food drive.
The program serves children in the Huntingdon community who may need additional food assistance while school is out of session. Lunches are distributed in take-home bags three days a week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday — from 11 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. from May 27 through August 19, as long as funding and supplies remain available.
Last year was the first year of the program. The organizers provided approximately 625 lunches to local children.
With additional support from MBG and continued involvement from other local organizations and businesses, organizers hope to expand the program’s reach this summer.
“We’re very excited for the opportunity to help the Summer Lunch Program reach more children with free meals this year,” Gary Williams, President and CEO of Mutual Benefit Group, said. “At MBG, we’ve identified food insecurity as a major area of need that we’re committed to addressing in our own community. It’s very powerful to be able to help First Church pull off this program.”
In addition to sponsoring the initiative, MBG employees are participating in a company-wide nonperishable food drive to help collect supplies for the program.
“Last year First Church became aware of no summer lunch for kids in the community, so we quickly responded with the bag lunch program,” Duane J. Coy, Pastor of First Huntingdon United Methodist Church, said. “It was a real mission project in our own back yard. We are thrilled that Mutual Benefit Group is sharing the journey with us this summer.”
Program organizers encourage other local businesses, organizations and community members to support the Summer Lunch Program through donations, supplies or volunteer involvement to help extend the program’s impact throughout the summer.
As part of its ongoing community outreach efforts, Mutual Benefit Group supports a variety of local initiatives focused on strengthening the communities where its employees, agents and policyholders live and work. Community organizations interested in requesting support or partnership opportunities can learn more at https://www.mutualbenefitgroup.com/about-us/community-outreach.
For more information about the Summer Lunch Program or ways to support the initiative, please direct questions to Duane Coy at dcoy@susumc.org or Caroline Sliver at mbgcommunications@thembg.com.